Baccarat is a game of skill that is widely played around the world. In fact, the game is so popular that it has spawned a number of different variations and side bets. While there is a house advantage of 1.2 percent on banker bets and 1.1 percent on player bets, it is a low enough house edge to make the game attractive to high rollers who can bet large amounts on either hand.
The game starts with six decks shuffled together and placed on the table. Players are seated in random order, typically around an oval-shaped table, and then play continues counterclockwise. Once all bets have been placed, the dealer will call a “no more bets.” Then he will deal one card to the player box and then another card to the banker box. If the player and banker hands total 8 or 9, that is a natural win and the round ends with paid bets. If not, a third card is drawn.
If the first two cards are a player or banker pair, the winning bet is the one with the highest value. This is determined by adding up all the pips (the dots on the cards that represent clubs, hearts, diamonds, and spades) to find the final digit. Unlike a poker hand, where a 10 counts as zero, in baccarat the player and banker hands only count the pips that equal 9 or higher. The rest of the pips are ignored.
Getting started in the game of Baccarat is easy. Locate the baccarat tables on the casino floor and ask for directions from a casino employee. You will often see a sign that says ‘Baccarat,’ or the name of the game might be listed on the casino’s table map. If the table is a high-limit baccarat table, it will be marked with a velvet rope and usually separate from other tables. The minimum bet is usually $20-$25.
Once you’ve located the baccarat table, look for the ‘Player and Banker’ sign that indicates the game is in progress. Usually, there will be seven to 14 seats for players. The player and banker bets are made in the ‘Player and Banker’ boxes at the far left of the table. If you want to place a side bet, look for the ‘Super Six’ and ‘Pair Bet’ signs. The Super Six is an optional bet that wins if the Banker’s hand has a score of 6. The Pair Bet pays out 12x the original bet amount if the player makes a pair of the same two cards.
Having a basic understanding of the game rules is essential to making good bets. Practicing good stake management, such as betting ten units per wager with a maximum of 200 units per session followed by a complete break, will help you avoid over-betting and losing your money. Keeping notes on past hands won and lost for both player and banker will also help you make informed decisions.